[quote="greasypeanut"]and how soon can i go to an office and submit a request to get my pension? my gepik high school told me i need to wait till after my contract is done because they need to dequalify me first.[/quote]

No, you can go no sooner than 30 days before the end of your contract.

Is it possible for me to apply for a pension refund even though I'll be coming back?

Thanks,
Johnathan

I just did my paperwork at the pension office this morning. The pension lady asked me if I was returning to Korea. I said I have no plans to at this time(true). She said my refund should be sent out around the 15th of September, unless I return to Korea. If I did return before that time she said it would not be sent.

In 2008 I finished my first year on Sept. 1, went home and then returned Oct 15, and had no problem getting it. In fact, if memory serves me right, I was already back in Korea when it was transferred into my US account. However, 2 weeks might be too quick of a turn around time.

Maybe a little lucky, but I was out of the country for 6 weeks. It was probably already processed before I returned. You said you would only be gone for two weeks or so. That is pretty quick and they may catch on that you are back. But no worries if they do. You will get it all eventually someday.

Hi,
I know most of this thread is about how to claim your pension, etc, but I was over in the Contract Posting Thread and had a quick question about pensions in general.

Some people had contracts without any mention of a pension and when they asked about it, someone posted that it is an elective benefit. If you are willing to go without it in the contract for some reason, you could. However, I also read a post somewhere in which someone said be careful going without the pension because if your school gets audited, you could end up having to pay?

Could someone clear this up? If you are willing, is it okay to go without the pension in your contract, or will this put you at possible risk? Thanks so much.

Hi,
I know most of this thread is about how to claim your pension, etc, but I was over in the Contract Posting Thread and had a quick question about pensions in general.

Some people had contracts without any mention of a pension and when they asked about it, someone posted that it is an elective benefit. If you are willing to go without it in the contract for some reason, you could. However, I also read a post somewhere in which someone said be careful going without the pension because if your school gets audited, you could end up having to pay?

Could someone clear this up? If you are willing, is it okay to go without the pension in your contract, or will this put you at possible risk? Thanks so much.

Once and for all it is not an elective benefit. It depends on your country. If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Korea then the pension is not elective. There are however exceptions...if you are over 60 or in a certain occupation then you can't claim pension.

And of all the seven countries that E-2 teachers currently come from only South Africa does not have such an agreement with Korea.

I know for a fact that Americans, British and Canadians get their pension refunded but I also remember reading somewhere Australians get their pension back to. However I haven't been able to clarify. Can anyone give me a definate answer if Australians also get their pension refunded?

I know for a fact that Americans, British and Canadians get their pension refunded but I also remember reading somewhere Australians get their pension back to. However I haven't been able to clarify. Can anyone give me a definate answer if Australians also get their pension refunded?

Cheers,
ReeNah

Currently Canadians, Americans and Australians can get a cash refund when they leave Korea.

Does anyone have a clue whether a person holding a UK passport, but who has an American green card and has paid into U.S. social security can get the pension lump sum?!?! Additionally, he will be returning to America after leaving Korea.